Overview
A six day, self-guided holiday exploring Lake Constance Cycle Path, a multinational marvel that takes you through Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Whether you are on a traditional or e-bike, the beauties of Bodensee, as its known locally, include medieval towns of Konstanz, Meersburg and Lindau. Pootle at your own pace, taking time to explore the lake’s shimmering waters, with plenty of swimming spots along the way, taking in elegant castles and museums, on a cycling holiday that has few ascents, but plenty of natural and cultural highs.
- Lake Constance
- Überlingen
- Lindau
- Schloss Montfort
- Bregenz
A longer version of the tour (Constance Cycle Path and the Rhine Falls) is available here.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival Konstanz
Arrive in Konstanz, the largest town on Lake Constance. If time allows, take a stroll around the well-preserved medieval Old Town, explore Konstanz Minster and the Renaissance Town Hall. The islands of Reichenau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Mainau can be reached easily by bike.
- Accommodation: Ko Ono or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel Halm or similar) in Konstanz
Day 2: Konstanz – Friedrichshafen | 45km
Cycle to Wallhausen where you take the boat to the former free imperial town of Überlingen, the perfect place to stop for a refreshment on the promenade. Continue cycling, heading through Meersburg, before reaching Friedrichshafen, today’s destination. Friedrichshafen is home to the Zeppelin Museum, complete with a Zeppelin floating above the lake, which offers daily sightseeing flights (museum entry and flight ticket not included). The town hosts many outdoor music and art festivals in the large park and along the waterfront promenade, which was rebuilt in its original style after World War Two.
- Accommodation: Gasthof Rebstock or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel City Krone or similar) in Friedrichshafen
- Cycling for the day: 45km (and boat trip)
Day 3: Friedrichshafen – Lindau/Bregenz | 30-40km
Today’s route begins by heading across the countryside and through the orchards, towards Langenargen and the famous 14th-century Schloss Montfort. Continue on to the Bavarian town of Lindau, where the entire Old Town is on an island. Look out for the imposing lion statue and lighthouse, a striking pair, located in the town’s harbour. Depending on availability, your accommodation may be in Bregenz instead, the waterfront capital of the Vorarlberg region, where the Austrian Alps meet the lake.
- Accommodation: Hotel Zecher or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel Messmer or similar) in Lindau or Bregenz
- Cycling for the day: 30-40km
Day 4: Lindau – Rorschach | 45-50km
Head to Bregenz, where it’s recommended to ride the Pfänder cable car, for a unique panoramic view of Lake Constance. Seebühne Bregenz, the world’s largest floating opera stage, is another must-see in Bregenz. Continue cycling to Höchst, after which the route crosses the border, heading back into Switzerland. Pedal for a few more kilometres, before reaching Rorschach, where the lakeside promenade spans the length of the town.
- Accommodation: Hotel Frohsinn or similar (optional upgrade to Römerhof Arbon or similar)in Rorschach, Arbon or Horn (depending on availability)
- Cycling for the day: 45-50km
Day 5: Rorschach – Konstanz | 30-45km
Today’s route heads through the town of Romanshorn, home to a large harbour on Lake Constance. Follow the banks of the lake back to Konstanz, taking a break for a refreshing dip in the cool waters along the way. Spend the afternoon visiting the Rosgarten Museum, Konstanz’ art and cultural history museum (entry included). End your cycling holiday with a wander through the Old Town, or perhaps a drink down by the harbour.
- Accommodation: Ko Ono or similar (optional upgrade to Hotel Halm or similar) in Konstanz
- Cycling for the day: 30-45km
Day 6: Departure
Departure after breakfast, or extend your stay with extra nights in Konstanz.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms. Please note that, in Germany, it is common practice for hotels and other accommodations to join twin beds together to make a double, with separate linen for each person. If you prefer to opt for twin beds, we will happily request this at time of booking, however they can’t always be guaranteed.
Click to view default hotels
- Ko Ono (Konstanz)
- Gasthof Rebstock (Friedrichshafen)
- Hotel Zecher (Lindau)
- Hotel Frohsinn (Arbon)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
- Hotel Halm(Konstanz)
- Hotel City Krone (Friedrichshafen)
- Hotel Messmer (Bregenz)
- Römerhof Arbon (Arbon)
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This cycling holiday is most suitable for people with some cycling experience and requires an average level of fitness. The average cycling distance per day is approximately 50-60km and the routes are mostly on dedicated cycle lanes, with no steep ascents or descents, and the routes are very well way-marked. It is also possible to rent e-bikes for this tour, making it more accessible to those with less cycling experience (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked paths and never try to shorten the routes through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available from the end of March to October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season.
The best time to visit Lake Constance is between June and August, when there are pleasant temperatures for cycling and little rainfall. The average water temperature of the lake is approximately 23C in summer, dropping to approximately 17C in September and October. For more information, see our blogs on the Best time to go to Switzerland, Best time to go to Austria and Best time to go to Germany.
Getting there
FCO up-to-date travel advice on Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airports for this tour are Zurich (ZRH), Friedrichshafen (FDH) and Stuttgart (STR).
By train or bus
- If you are able to travel to Germany without flying, this holiday is reachable by rail, with a railway station in Konstanz. For more details, see the national rail operator DB or use the Omio planner above
- From Zurich Airport: there are regular direct trains to Konstanz (1h 4mins). For up-to-date train schedules, visit DB, SBB or use the Omio planner above
- Parking: there are public car parks available in Konstanz for approximately €25 per day (Fischmarkt, Dammgasse, Lago, Altstadt, Benediktinerplatz). It is also possible to book a parking space in advance, for the duration of your tour
- Train from the UK: take the Eurostar from London St-Pancras International to Paris (Gard du Nord). Change and leave Paris from Gare de l’Est, from which there are direct trains to Stuttgart and Karlsruhe, change there for Konstanz. Total journey time approximately 8.5h
- Drive from the UK: take the Eurotunnel from Folkestone to Calais and then on to Konstanz via Strasbourg or Zurich (journey time approximately 9h)
Inclusions
Included
- 5 nights accommodation
- 5 breakfasts
- Boat fare Wallhausen/Dingelsdorf to Überlingen (including bike)
- Entrance to Rosgarten Museum (one cup of coffee included)
- Luggage transfer on all cycling days (luggage up to 20kg)
- Detailed pre-departure holiday information pack including route notes and maps
- Phone assistance by our local office/representatives
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Helmets – there is no possibility of renting a helmet so it is recommended to bring your own or purchase one locally
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights along the trail are available upon request
- Bike rental (standard hybrid bike or e-bike)
Bike rental
Both hybrid and e-bikes are available to rent on this tour. All bikes come with a bike lock, waterproof pannier, luggage rack, odometer, repair kit (one per group), hand pump and a waterproof handlebar bag with a map holder.
Sample pictures attached below, note that the exact models may differ depending on availability, but the standard will be the same.
